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National PeaceBuilder |
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| As our way of honoring PeaceBuilders who go beyond all expectations, PeacePartners, Inc. recognizes several
“National PeaceBuilders” throughout the year. These exceptional people work unselfishly to
build peace in their homes, in their schools and in their communities; and in so doing they make the world a
better place for all of us. Join us in celebrating each and every one of them for their contributions in creating
safer, more peaceful learning environments. |
| October 2007 |
It is a special honor this month to share the story of three middle school students who not only made an inspiring personal turnaround last year but were also instrumental in changing the attitudes of students and staff at their school.
After years of problematic behavior, these three young men made a decision to become PeaceBuilders and formed a Peace Patrol at Carlton Oaks School, and in so doing they started a culture change.
They made it cool to be a PeaceBuilder. |
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| Meet the Carlton Oaks Peace Patrol: Stephen Armstrong, Wesley Collins, and Jarrett Dale. |
Stephen, Wesley, and Jarrett were always leaders; they just didn’t always lead others in a peaceful direction. Their decision to use their leadership skills to build peace at their school definitely changed the way teachers looked at them, even more exciting it changed how other students looked at them and proved they all can and should make a positive difference!
Jarrett, Wesley and Stephen reached out to younger students by giving up their lunch break to go into classrooms of primary students to read books with PeaceBuilders themes.
As part of their responsibilities on the Peace Patrol last year, these remarkable young men greeted students each morning acknowledging positive behaviors and character traits. They handed out PeaceBuilders PraiseNotes to younger students. They monitored the bike rack to be sure riders had helmets and bike permits and they handed out applications for permits to those who needed them. And they modeled good behavior by visibly helping to keep the school grounds clean.
In short, they showed others what it means to be a PeaceBuilder and through their courage and kindness they made others want to follow in their footsteps.
Each of the young men wrote a gracious letter of appreciation to their advisor, Carlton Oaks’ assistant principal Leighangela Brady, thanking her for believing in them.
We praise Ms. Brady for being a wise person in the lives of these young men. Too often young “natural leaders” are disregarded in favor of those “traditional leaders” who achieve academically and in more socially appropriate ways. It is a wise person who can see through the behavior to the leader beneath and help that leader focus on peaceful pursuits.
It is with great pride that we acknowledge the inspirational accomplishments Wesley Collins, Stephen Armstrong, and Jarrett Dale have made at Carlton Oaks School and in their own lives. And this is only the beginning. These young men have left a legacy: a challenge to others to be a role-model by building peace. |
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